I discovered the magic of homemade Texas Toast during my college years, when I worked at a small convenience store that served food. Every morning, we’d prepare stacks of this buttery, garlicky bread to accompany our famous fried chicken. One hectic evening, we ran out of our regular dinner rolls, and I watched in amazement as customers cheered when offered extra Texas Toast instead. That night taught me that sometimes the simplest foods bring the greatest joy. Now, whenever I make Texas Toast at home, that same delight spreads across my family’s faces, and dinner instantly transforms from an ordinary meal into something special.
Table of Contents
Why This Texas Toast Outshines Store-Bought
- Perfect Texture Contrast – Achieves the ideal balance of crispy exterior and soft, buttery interior.
- Customizable Flavoring – Allows you to adjust garlic and cheese levels to your family’s preference.
- Superior Freshness – Made to order, without preservatives or artificial ingredients.
- Budget-Friendly – Costs significantly less than frozen pre-packaged versions.
- Versatile Base – Serves as a foundation for countless meal variations and sandwich creations.
- Quick Preparation – Ready in under 15 minutes with minimal ingredients.
The Fascinating Origin Story
Texas Toast was born from a happy accident in Beaumont, Texas. A bakery sliced bread too thickly for it to fit in a standard toaster. Rather than waste the bread, a resourceful cook buttered the oversized slices and placed them on a griddle, creating what would become a beloved staple throughout the American South and beyond. True to its Texas roots, this toast is bigger and bolder than your average slice of bread.
Texas Toast vs. Garlic Bread: The Key Differences
While these buttery bread varieties share similarities, several distinctions set them apart:
- Bread Type – Texas Toast uses thick-sliced white bread, while garlic bread typically starts with French bread or baguette.
- Cooking Method – Texas Toast is often prepared under a broiler or on a griddle, whereas garlic bread is usually baked in the oven.
- Garlic Preparation – Texas Toast typically uses garlic powder for even distribution, while traditional garlic bread often features fresh minced garlic.
- Shape and Size – Texas Toast maintains its square shape, making it perfect for sandwiches, while garlic bread is usually served in half-moon shapes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Texas Toast or Thick-Sliced Bread – Forms the foundation of the recipe, providing the signature thickness.
- Butter – Creates a rich, indulgent flavor and helps achieve a crispy, golden exterior.
- Garlic Powder – Delivers the classic garlic flavor evenly distributed throughout each slice.
- Parmesan Cheese – Adds a nutty, savory dimension that elevates the toast beyond basic garlic bread.
How to Make Texas Toast
- Set the oven to broil.
- Soften the butter.
- Spread butter evenly on each side of the bread slices.
- Lightly sprinkle garlic powder on both sides of the bread.
- Place the bread on a baking sheet under the broiler.
- Toast the bread for 1 to 3 minutes.
- Remove the bread from the oven and flip over the bread to where the untoasted side is up.
- Sprinkle parmesan cheese on each slice of bread.
- Return the bread to the oven and toast them until golden brown.
Use Your Broiler
Instead of placing this on the grill, I suggest that you pop it under the broiler in your oven. I think the broiler works very well in creating a toast that is evenly crispy all over. Also, using the broiler makes it easy to cook several pieces at once.
Make Texas toast at home – it’s so easy. So get toasting and enjoy this Texas toast recipe. And, let me know how you like this toast and what you like to serve it with – I always enjoy hearing from my viewers.
Classic Homemade Texas Toast
Ingredients
- 4 slices Texas Toast
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Set the oven to broil.
- Soften the butter.
- Spread butter evenly on both sides of the 4 bread slices.
- Lightly sprinkle garlic powder on both sides of the bread slices.
- Place the buttered bread on a baking sheet.
- Put the bread in the oven under the broiler. The bread will toast for 1 to 3 minutes. The closer the bread is to the broiler the faster it will toast.
- Once the first side is toasted, remove it from the oven.
- Flip over the bread to where the untoasted side is up.
- Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of cheese on each slice of bread.
- Return the bread to the oven.
- Toast the bread until it is golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
Storage and Reheating Tips
Making Ahead
Texas Toast is best enjoyed immediately after preparation, but you can:
- Prepare the butter mixture in advance and refrigerate
- Toast one side of the bread earlier in the day, then finish just before serving
Reheating Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which is rare!):
- Reheat in a toaster oven for 1-2 minutes to maintain crispness
- Avoid microwaving, which will make the toast soggy
- Use leftover slices for croutons or breadcrumbs if they’ve lost their freshness
Ingredient Sourcing Tips
Finding the Perfect Bread
- Many grocery stores sell designated “Texas Toast” bread in the bread aisle
- Ask your bakery to slice Italian or white bread into 1-inch thick slices
- In a pinch, standard sandwich bread will work, although it won’t be as thick
Butter Selection
- Unsalted butter gives you more control over the overall saltiness
- European-style butter with higher fat content creates an extra-rich result
- Consider compound garlic butter for an additional flavor boost
More Ways to Make Toast
- Banana Bread French Toast
- Classic French Toast
- Denny’s French Toast
- Eggs in a Basket
- French Toast Sticks
- Garlic Toast
- Creamed Eggs On Toast
Favorite Bread Recipes
- Breadsticks
- Cheddar Bay Biscuits
- Garlic Cheese Bread
- KFC Biscuit
- Pizza Hut Cheese Sticks
- Texas Roadhouse Bread
Take a look at more of my easy bread recipes and the best quick and easy recipes here on CopyKat!
When I make Texas Toast, I soften the butter and add the garlic and parmesan to it, mixing well, then spread on bread. I get a more even mixture that way. When I sprinkle, I have a tendency to go overboard. So this method is what works for me. 🙂 I love Texas Toast!
I make something similar to this, but I only toast one side of the bread, this recipe would make it crispier.
My kids loved this. I used regular bread, and it as still good.
Man, I haven’t had this since Bonanza when out of business.
I mix the garlic powder and parmesan cheese into the softened butter and spread on the Texas Toast. Fry it, butter side down, in a cast iron skillet. (Don’t fry/cook the other side). Serve with Caesar Salad or a big Spinach Salad with warm bacon/parmesan dressing.
What do you like to serve Texas Toast with?
Fired chicken, fired food in general or pasta
Ha ha, you must be a Trump fan.
Chicken, you’re fired!
Food, you’re fired!
I make it by using softened butter combined with garlic powder, grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Must admit I have never bought the frozen kind found in grocery stores. I have toyed with the idea of adding other ingredients to it but have yet to do it.